How Much Weight Should Pregnant Woman Gain?

Does it really matter how much weight you gain during pregnancy? Doctors say it does; your baby's growth and development depend on it.

Depending on your weight, doctors say during pregnancy, women should gain between 25 and 35 pounds.

Dr. Laurie Landeen with Sanford Medical Center says doctors factor in a woman's weight, height and body mass index to determine what is the right weight gain for them. But she says those who gain too much or not enough could also be risking the health of their babies and themselves. That is why eating healthy and not doubling the amount of food you eat is important.

"How much do you really need to eat? A lot of women think they're eating for two, but you're not when you're pregnant. Your increased need is only 300 more calories a day. That would be equivalent to one glass of skim milk," Landeen said.